We recently learned that North Korea is preparing its people for the effects of electromagnetic pulse, or EMP. Whether that’s because Kim Jong-un’s despotic regime intends to initiate the use of such weapons with a nuclear arsenal he has no intention of dismantling is a matter of debate.

What should no longer be is the reality that our vastly more vulnerable people and society must be protected against the potentially catastrophic effects of attacks involving electromagnetic pulse – or, for that matter, cyberwarfare, sabotage or powerful solar storms – on the U.S. electric grid.

I had the opportunity yesterday to participate in an extraordinarily exciting meeting in which the political, business and military leaders of one of America’s largest cities came together to begin making their community resilient against such mortal dangers.